Secrets Behind The World Famous Chandan Yatra On Akshaya Tritiya

Chandan Yatra is the longest celebration seen at Jagannath temple at Puri, India. Chandan Yatra meaning Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit( which go on for 42 days till Jyeshtha Shukla Chaturdashi ) is seen in two sections: Bahara Chandan( External Chandan Yatra) and Bhitara Chandan ( Internal Chandan which is organized inside the Jagannath temple) . The Bahara Chandan Yatra is organized in the holy tank of Narendra. The holy tank has been named in the name of Narendra Dev( son of Kapilendra Dev). You can see by yourself the following video of the Chandan Yatra celebration of our Lord Jagannath .

Chandan Yatra of our Lord Jagannath

Chandan Yatra,i.s: Shree Jagannath Temple 

Origin of Chandan Yatra

Prior to explaining the details, let’s do a little research regarding the antiquity of the said Chandan Yatra.Beginning of Chandan Yatra is followed back to the Mahabharata time. The Pandavas were in the last year of their exile and were continuing their Ajnata Vasa (living in camouflage among the public). They were dwelling in the court of King Virata. After the killing of Kichaka by Bhima, King Virata came to realize the real identity of the Pandavas .

King Virata   requested the Pandavas to help him in having the darshan of Lord Krishna. Yudhisthira proposed King Virata to lead a boat paddling celebration in his realm during the mid summer days . Catching wind of the boat paddling celebration, Lord Krishna showed up alongside his sibling Balarama.

An excited Virata offered Lord Krishna to smear sandalwood paste all around His body to stay away from the scorching heat of the Sun. Lord  Krishna alongside his sibling Balarama and Pandavas partook in the Snana Yatra and paddling celebration. Chandan yatra is  celebrated every year to commemorate this occasion.

Chandan Yatra: When & Why

Chandan Yatra, beginning from Akshaya Tritiya, which falls in April-May, goes on for 21 days and is held in the third day of the bright half of lunar month of Baisakh .As the mercury goes on rising, our God likes to apply the sandalwood paste all around His body and likes to go for a voyage in the holy tank of Narendra at Puri. Chandan ( sandalwood) and fragrant cool water keep an individual cool. As the Hindu Gods do have human pastimes and hence are displayed on the way of behaviour of people, the holy trinity ( Jagannath,Balabhadra and Subhadra) are likewise given a similar treatment.

During this celebration they are taken out of the temples in parades for perambulation in water on floats or boats. The lavishly decorated boats are called ‘Chapa’. ‘Chapa’ is what might be compared to ‘drift’ in Odia language. This celebration is most intricate in Puri and draws in a huge number of devotees/ enthusiasts from all over. The majority of the significant celebrations of Lord Jagannath at Puri are likewise continued in many remaining significant altars of Odisha.

Details of Chandan Yatra

A total of  five boats are  utilized in Chandan Yatra.  They are grouped under the  names ‘Nanda’, ‘Bhadra’ and ‘Baijantari’ . All of them remain submerged in the Narendra tank round the year. Upon the arrival of Chaitra Purnima, every one of the five boats are taken out from the waters of Narendra tank to set them up for the impending Chandan Yatra.  Nanda and Bhadra boats will be made by associating two boats each. During the Chandan Yatra, the Divinities will be boarded to the Nanda and Bhadra boats. In the Baijantari boat, the customary instruments ( dancing and music) will be played before the other two boats.

The representative divinities of the gods i.e, Rama, Krishna, Madan Mohan, Laxmi and Saraswati are taken in a parade from Jagannath temple to the Narendra tank . The five Shivas known as Pancha Pandavas, in particular Markandaya, Jameshwar, Lokanath 

Kapala Mochana and Nilakantha, go with Madan Mohan(the illustrative representative of Prabhu Jagannath) to the narendra tank. In a perfectly beautified boat Madan Mohan, Laxmi and Saraswati are set and in another are put Rama, Krishna and the Pancha Pandavas(five shivas). The divinities partake in a night voyage  in the pictureseque narendra tank with the backup of music and dance. 

Chandan Yatra

In this backdrop, let me list out a few noteworthy facts regarding this auspicious day “Akshaya Tritiya “. This auspicious day additionally denotes the start of the making of the chariots for the stately visit of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the Gundicha temple upon the arrival of Rathyatra.

1- People do have a strong belief that Akshaya Tritiya is a Punya Tithi ( auspicious day) , the day on which any auspicious work can be initiated like construction of home, tying the nuptial knot etc.
2- It is Maharshi Parashuram’s birthday.
3- On this day, Srikrishna prevented Draupadi from being embarrassed by giving her a million clothes at the place of Kurusava.
4- The union of Krishna Sudama, the symbol of best friendship, also happened on this day.
5- Satya and Tretaya Yuga began on this great day.
6- Brahma’s son Akshay Kumar was born on this day.
7- The door of the famous Badrinath Dham, which remains closed during long winter months round the year, opens today.
8- The feet of the Idol in the famous Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan is kept open for devotees on this day, otherwise it remains covered all throughout the year.
9- The Mahabharata war ended on this day.
10- Today is the first day of Ratha Anukula ( which means the making of Rathas ( chariots) begins today
11- On this day, King ‘Janak’ was blessed with a daughter ‘Janaki’ while initiating the annual agriculture in his kingdom . It is considered as the best day for agriculture.
12- This day is the birthday of Jayadeva, the author of the epic literary creation “Gita Govinda” .

Dr.Manoj Mishra, luanarsecstasy@gmail.com